'All or Nothing' on Haslam School Voucher Bill

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris says that lawmakers will either have to approve Gov. Bill Haslam's approach to a school voucher program in Tennessee or face the measure being withdrawn entirely.

The Collierville Republican told reporters on Tuesday that he perceives a growing level of comfort with Haslam's more measured approach to the bill that would supply a limited number of parents of children in the state's worst schools with public money to pay for a private education.

A separate bill for a more expansive voucher program was withdrawn earlier this session, though proponents have said they want to amend the governor's proposal to have it apply to a larger number of families.

The bill is scheduled for Wednesday votes in the House Finance Committee and the Senate Education Committee.